Alfa Romeo 33

Alfa Romeo 33: generations: what actually changed

The catalogue lists three generations, not three copies of one car.

The catalogue lists three generations, not three copies of one car.

1 generation (1983-05-01–1986-08-31, Estate 5-door) is the widest 1.5-litre shop: seven 1.5 MT tunings (84, 90 FWD, 90 AWD, 95 FWD, 95 AWD, 105 AWD, 105 FWD hp) plus 1.2 MT 68 hp and four 1.4 MT tunings (75, 79, 86, 90 hp). Tank 55 L. Ground clearance is 140 mm on the Inline cars and 120 mm on the Opposite cars. Rear suspension is either Semi-independent, springorts hélicoïdaux, sem (Inline) or Dependent, spring (Opposite). Rear brakes Drum on every version. Peak measured speed here is 179 km/h (1.5 MT 90 hp FWD, 1.5 MT 90 hp AWD, 1.5 MT 95 hp AWD). Peak measured 0–100 among versions that record it is 10.3 s (1.4 MT 86 hp).

1 generation, restyling (1986-09-01–1989-12-31, Sedan) keeps tank 55 L and adds the 1.7-litre step. 1.7 MT 105 hp FWD: 9.4 s, 190 km/h, 970 kg, mixed 7.6 L/100 km. 1.7 MT 114 hp FWD: 9.0 s, 200 km/h, 910 kg, mixed 8.2 L/100 km — 0.4 s quicker and 10 km/h faster than the 105 hp 1.7 MT, at 60 kg less kerb weight (910 vs 970) and 0.6 L/100 km more mixed fuel. 1.7 MT 118 hp FWD is listed at 118 hp, 1712 cm³, Opposite, 4 valves per cylinder, compression 10, bore 87 × 72; 0–100, top speed, torque, and kerb weight are not measured. The restyling is the only generation labelled Sedan. It is also the only generation with a measured 200 km/h car.

2 generation (1990-01-01–1994-01-31, Estate 5-door) cuts the tank to 50 L (−5 L vs both 1 generation bodies) and freezes clearance at 120 mm on every listed version. It drops 1.2 MT. It keeps three 1.4 MT cars (88 hp Inline FWD; 90 hp Opposite FWD; 90 hp Opposite AWD), two 1.5 MT cars (97 hp Opposite FWD; 105 hp Inline FWD), and seven 1.7 MT cars (105, 107 AWD, 107 FWD, 129 FWD, 129 AWD, 132 FWD, 132 AWD hp). Rear brakes become Disc on several 1.7 AWD and high-output cars. Independent, spring rear suspension is the Opposite default; the two Inline cars still use Semi-independent, springorts hélicoïdaux, sem. Power density peaks here: 132 hp from 1712 cm³ is 77.1 hp/L, versus 56.7 hp/L on 1.2 MT 68 hp (68 / 1.200).

Engines and specs

Every version is Gasoline, 4 cylinders, boost No, Manual, 5 gears. Engine position is Front, transverse where measured (the Inline cars); on Opposite cars it is not measured. Fuel injection is Distributed injection (multi-point) where the field is filled. Distinguish same names by hp, layout, and drive.

Power per litre (hp / displacement in litres): 1.4 MT 75 hp is 53.6 hp/L; 1.2 MT 68 hp is 56.7; 2 generation 1.4 MT 88 hp Inline is 65.1; 2 generation 1.5 MT 105 hp Inline is 70.5; 2 generation 1.7 MT 129 hp is 75.4; 2 generation 1.7 MT 132 hp is 77.1. The 4-valve 1.7 MT cars (114, 118, 129, 132 hp) are the only versions with 4 valves per cylinder; all others that list the field use 2.

On 2 generation, 1.5 MT 105 hp Inline (70.5 hp/L) out-specifics 1.7 MT 105 hp Opposite (61.3 hp/L) at the same 105 hp: 1490 vs 1712 cm³, 126 vs 149 Nm, 940 vs 955 kg. The extra 222 cm³ on that 1.7 buys 23 Nm and not a measured 0–100 (not measured on 2 generation 1.7 MT 105 hp).

Performance and economy (mpg)

Measured 0–100 km/h, fastest to slowest among values that exist:

• 9.0 s — restyling 1.7 MT 114 hp FWD
• 9.4 s — restyling 1.7 MT 105 hp FWD (+0.4 s)
• 9.8 s — 2 generation 1.5 MT 105 hp FWD (+0.8 s vs 9.0)
• 10.3 s — 2 generation 1.4 MT 88 hp; 1 generation and restyling 1.4 MT 86 hp
• 10.9 s — 2 generation 1.5 MT 97 hp; 1 generation 1.5 MT 90 hp FWD, 90 hp AWD, 95 hp AWD
• 11.1 s — 2 generation 1.7 MT 107 hp AWD
• 11.5 s — 2 generation 1.4 MT 90 hp FWD
• 12.0 s — 2 generation 1.4 MT 90 hp AWD; restyling 1.5 MT 95 hp FWD; 1 generation 1.5 MT 95 hp FWD
• 14.0 s — 1 generation 1.5 MT 84 hp
• 16.0 s — 1.2 MT 68 hp (both 1 generation bodies)

1.2 MT 68 hp is 7.0 s slower than restyling 1.7 MT 114 hp (16.0 − 9.0). 2 generation 1.5 MT 105 hp Inline is 1.7 s quicker than 2 generation 1.5 MT 97 hp Opposite (10.9 − 9.8) at the same 1490 cm³ and the same FWD.

Measured top speed: 200 km/h restyling 1.7 MT 114 hp; 190 restyling 1.7 MT 105 hp; 188 2 generation 1.5 MT 105 hp; 186 2 generation 1.7 MT 107 hp FWD; 185 2 generation 1.7 MT 107 hp AWD; 179 several 1.5 cars; 177 / 176 / 174 on the three 2 generation 1.4 MT cars; 170 on 1.4 MT 86 hp and some 95 hp FWD cars; 167 1.4 MT 79 hp; 160 1.5 MT 84 hp; 150 1.2 MT 68 hp. Gap from slowest to fastest measured: 50 km/h (200 − 150).

Mixed fuel where measured (L/100 km): 7.5 on 2 generation 1.4 MT 90 hp FWD (lowest); 7.6 restyling 1.7 MT 105 hp and 2 generation 1.7 MT 107 hp AWD; 7.8 1.4 MT 86 hp and 2 generation 1.5 MT 97 hp; 7.9 1.4 MT 79 hp and 2 generation 1.4 MT 88 hp; 8.0 2 generation 1.5 MT 105 hp; 8.2 restyling 1.7 MT 114 hp; 8.3 2 generation 1.4 MT 90 hp AWD (highest among measured). Highway cluster is 5.7–6.1. City cluster is 9.5–11.4; the 11.4 city figure is restyling 1.7 MT 114 hp.

CO2 not measured on every version. Eco class not measured on every version. Many 1.7 and 1.5 cars have 0–100, top speed, and consumption not measured — that is a data gap, not a claim that those cars have no performance.

Range arithmetic on a full tank, using mixed L/100 km where both tank and mixed exist: 2 generation 50 L / 7.5 = 667 km on 1.4 MT 90 hp FWD; 50 / 8.3 = 602 km on 1.4 MT 90 hp AWD; 1 generation 55 L / 7.8 = 705 km on 1.4 MT 86 hp; 55 / 8.2 = 671 km on restyling 1.7 MT 114 hp. The 5 L tank cut in 2 generation is a real range penalty unless mixed use is at the 7.5 end.

Dimensions and weight

Wheel size not measured on every version.

Ground clearance: 140 mm on Inline 1.2 MT 68 hp, Inline 1.5 MT 84 hp, and Inline 1.5 MT 95 hp in 1 generation (and restyling equivalents that share those Inline specs); 120 mm on Opposite cars in 1 generation and on every 2 generation version. Choosing Opposite in the first two generations is choosing 20 mm less clearance.

Tank: 55 L (1 generation and restyling), 50 L (2 generation).

Kerb / gross, where measured:

• 890 kg kerb: 1.4 MT 79 hp and 1.4 MT 86 hp (both early generations). Gross not measured.
• 910 kg: restyling 1.7 MT 114 hp. Gross not measured. Best measured kg/hp among cars that list both: 910 / 114 = 7.98 kg/hp.
• 940 kg / 1350 kg: 2 generation 1.4 MT 88 hp and 1.5 MT 105 hp. 940 / 105 = 8.95 kg/hp on the 105 hp car.
• 955 kg / 1380 kg: 2 generation 1.4 MT 90 hp FWD and 1.7 MT 105 hp.
• 970 kg: restyling 1.7 MT 105 hp. 970 / 105 = 9.24 kg/hp.
• 985 kg: several 1.5 and 1.7 cars (e.g. 2 generation 1.5 MT 97 hp 985/1410; 1.7 MT 107 hp FWD 985/1405; 1.7 MT 129 hp FWD 985/1410).
• 1000 kg / 1350 kg: 1.2 MT 68 hp and several Inline 1.5 cars. 1000 / 68 = 14.71 kg/hp — the worst measured mass-to-power.
• 1005 / 1430: 2 generation 1.4 MT 90 hp AWD.
• 1015 / 1440: 2 generation 1.7 MT 132 hp FWD. 1015 / 132 = 7.69 kg/hp.
• 1035 / 1455: 2 generation 1.7 MT 107 hp AWD.
• 1065 / 1490: 2 generation 1.7 MT 129 hp AWD and 1.7 MT 132 hp AWD. 1065 / 132 = 8.07 kg/hp.

AWD vs FWD at matched power on 2 generation: 1.4 MT 90 hp +50 kg; 1.7 MT 107 hp +50 kg (1035 − 985); 1.7 MT 129 hp +80 kg (1065 − 985); 1.7 MT 132 hp +50 kg (1065 − 1015). AWD does not raise clearance (still 120 mm).

Front brakes Disc on listed versions. Rear Drum on most cars; Disc on 2 generation 1.7 MT 107 hp (both drives), 129 hp AWD, 132 hp FWD, and 132 hp AWD. 2 generation 1.7 MT 129 hp FWD is the odd 4-valve car that still lists rear Drum.

Which version to choose

There is no price field in this dataset, so “what the extra displacement buys” is hp, Nm, seconds, kg, and litres — not money.

If the question is the fastest measured 33: restyling 1.7 MT 114 hp FWD, Sedan, 9.0 s, 200 km/h, 910 kg, mixed 8.2, city 11.4, highway 5.9, 4 valves per cylinder, Opposite, tank 55 L. That is 24 hp and 0.8 s better than restyling 1.7 MT 105 hp (114 − 105; 9.4 − 9.0) and 60 kg lighter. Torque on the 114 hp car is not measured.

If the question is the strongest listed output: 2 generation 1.7 MT 132 hp (FWD or AWD). 132 − 114 = 18 hp more than the fastest measured car, 77.1 hp/L, 155 Nm. 0–100, top speed, and fuel use are not measured on either 132 hp car. You cannot rank them against 9.0 s / 200 km/h with a number that exists. FWD 1015 kg (7.69 kg/hp) is the better of the two on mass; AWD 1065 kg adds 50 kg and rear Disc (FWD 132 also lists rear Disc).

If the question is a fully filled daily spec sheet in 2 generation: 1.5 MT 105 hp FWD Inline. 9.8 s, 188 km/h, 940/1350 kg, mixed 8.0, city 10.4, highway 6.0, tank 50 L, Front, transverse, 8.95 kg/hp. Versus 2 generation 1.5 MT 97 hp Opposite: +8 hp, −8 kg (940 vs 985), −1.1 s, +9 km/h, mixed +0.2 L/100 km. The 105 hp Inline is the better measured 1.5.

If the question is lowest measured mixed use: 2 generation 1.4 MT 90 hp FWD Opposite, 7.5 L/100 km, 11.5 s, 177 km/h, 955 kg. Versus the 88 hp Inline 1.4 MT: +2 hp, +15 kg, +1.2 s to 100 (11.5 vs 10.3), +1 km/h, mixed −0.4 L/100 km. The 88 hp Inline is quicker despite 2 hp less; the 90 hp Opposite is the economy pick. Do not take 1.4 MT 90 hp AWD for economy: mixed 8.3, 12.0 s, 174 km/h, 1005 kg.

If you need AWD: only buy it where FWD cannot do the job. Measured AWD tax on 2 generation 1.4 MT 90 hp is +50 kg, +0.5 s, −3 km/h, +0.8 mixed. 2 generation 1.7 MT 107 hp AWD is the rare AWD with a full performance line: 11.1 s, 185 km/h, mixed 7.6, 1035 kg, rear Disc — 0.4 s quicker and 8 km/h faster than 1.4 MT 90 hp AWD, at +30 kg. Early 1.5 MT 90 hp AWD and 1.5 MT 95 hp AWD share 10.9 s and 179 km/h; the 95 hp AWD lists 133 Nm and 985 kg, the 90 hp AWD lists torque not measured and 985 kg. Restyling 1.5 MT 95 hp AWD and 1.5 MT 102 hp AWD have 0–100, speed, and weight not measured.

If you want the lightest measured car: 1.4 MT 79 hp or 1.4 MT 86 hp at 890 kg. The 86 hp car is the one to take: 10.3 s, 170 km/h, mixed 7.8, 121 Nm versus 79 hp with top speed 167, mixed 7.9, 0–100 not measured. 1.4 MT 75 hp and 1.4 MT 90 hp in those generations have kerb, 0–100, and top speed not measured — they cannot win a comparison that needs those fields.

Skip unless you accept a thin spec sheet: 1.2 MT 68 hp (16.0 s, 150 km/h, 14.71 kg/hp); 1 generation 1.5 MT 84 hp (14.0 s, 160 km/h); restyling 1.7 MT 118 hp (118 hp, 4 valves, speed not measured); 2 generation 1.7 MT 105 / 129 / 132 hp cars with 0–100 not measured.

Problems and reliability: this dataset does not measure faults, corrosion, or service intervals. What it does measure is how much mass, fuel, and time each version asks for. On that basis the ranking is: restyling 1.7 MT 114 hp FWD for speed; 2 generation 1.5 MT 105 hp FWD for a complete 2 generation sheet; 2 generation 1.4 MT 90 hp FWD for mixed 7.5 L/100 km; 2 generation 1.7 MT 107 hp AWD if drive must be AWD and the sprint must be a number; 1.4 MT 86 hp if 890 kg is the constraint. Same names are not the same car: always match 1.4 MT, 1.5 MT, and 1.7 MT to the horsepower, FWD or AWD, Inline or Opposite, and generation in the table above.